Ashburton
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The Hinds Plains sub-regional Plan Change 2 is now active in the Ashburton Zone. The Ashburton River and the Ashburton-Rakaia plains follow the Land and Water Regional Plan's nutrient rules. Ashburton has zones with varying nutrient allocation rules; click the map's colour for details. If you're in the Hinds Plains, ensure you see the provided information. Note: Depending on your location and irrigation setup, you might not need an individual farming activity resource consent. Check if your catchment has specific rules. For the consent process, the page provides editable forms and planning assessments for guidance.
This page provides guidance on consent requirements for farmers operating in the Ashburton Zone. The Hinds Plains sub-regional Plan Change 2 is now operative in the Ashburton Zone.
DairyNZ has been working with local partner farmers to help identify solutions to allow farmers to reduce N loss while still maintaining current production levels – see Selwyn and Hinds Canterbury Profitability.
The Ashburton River catchment and the Ashburton-Rakaia plains are still subject to the Land and Water Regional Plan nutrient management rules.
Ashburton has different coloured zones representing different nutrient allocation rules. Click on the colour below the map for an explanation.
If you are in the Hinds Plains area, make sure you also check the information in the section below.
Rules that change when PC5 becomes operative
| Current | Future |
| Under the Operative Land and Water Regional Plan (LWRP) rules are: | Under the proposed Plan Change 5 rules (PC5) will be: |
|
Consent required: ◦ if the farm is leaching greater than 20 kgN/ha/yr |
Consent required: ◦ if the farm has greater than 50ha irrigation and/or ◦ the area of winter grazing* is: ▪ Greater than 10ha, for any property less than 100ha in area ▪ Greater than 10% of the area, for any property between 100ha and 1000ha ▪ Greater than 100ha, for any property greater than 1000ha |
| A Farm Environmental Plan | A Farm Environmental Plan |
|
A Nitrogen Baseline (average loss between 2009-13) ◦ Operate at or below you N Baseline |
No Increase above Nitrogen Baseline ◦ N Baseline is required to be run through the “Farm Portal” and you are required to achieve the “Baseline GMP loss rate” by 2020 |
Red Nutrient Allocation Zone
If you are farming in a red nutrient allocation zone, you are not allowed to increase the nitrogen loss from the property above your nitrogen baseline calculated with Overseer.
You are required to have a nitrogen baseline calculated for the property.
If your nitrogen loss is 20kg N/ha/year or greater, from the 1 January 2017 you are required to have a farming activity resource consent, nitrogen loss calculation and a farm environment plan.
Notes
- If your property is part of an irrigation scheme with a discharge consent for nutrient losses, you may not require an individual farming activity resource consent. Check with your irrigation scheme.
- If you are within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment you need to refer to the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan Change (PC1) rules.
- If you are within the Kaikoura, Waimakariri or Christchurch/West Melton catchments, refer to the Land and water Regional Plan rules.
- If you are within the Hurunui Waiau Zone catchment you need to refer to the Hurunui Waiau River Regional plan.
- The table below is a guide to the rules based on your farm size and nitrogen loss rates.
Red Zone
In this zone any increase above the nitrogen baseline is a prohibited activity.
| Less than or equal to 10kg N/ha/year | Up to (and including) 20kg N/ha/year | Greater than 20kg N/ha/year | |
| Less than 5 ha | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity |
| 5 ha or greater | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity provided no increase above N baseline | Until 1.1.2017: Permitted Activity provided no increase above N baseline |
|
From 1.1.2017: Restricted discretionary activity. Will require: ◦ a farming activity resource consent ◦ a farm environment plan ◦ NO increase above N baseline |
Unless already consented, no individual property can increase average nitrogen loss above their nitrogen baseline (what the property was losing from 2009-2013).
There is an option for groups of properties to work together to average nitrogen loss across multiple properties. These are called Farming Enterprises (a group of properties managed together). This will require all properties to operate under one farming enterprise resource consent. Ensure your ownership model or legal structure of any enterprise group understand the responsibility and potential liability that may be associated to this consenting option. Contact Environment Canterbury if you require more information on Farming Enterprises.
For more information visit the Ecan Land & Water Regional Plan page.
Consents information pack
Supporting information
Below are some key documents that will help you through the process.
- Consent checklist - step by step what I need to go away and do
- Submitting your farming land use consent application - Questions to ask during your one hour free with a consent planner
- Contact list - Nutrient Management Advisors for Baseline creation and Resource management consultants for consent help
- Why do I get different Overseer Numbers and why are they important?
- Nutrient Budgets for Canterbury factsheet - is my Overseer file fit for regulatory purpose
- A guide to Permitted Activities in Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (Refer to for section ‘Related Permitted Activities’ in consent form)
Orange Nutrient Allocation Zone
If you are farming in an orange nutrient allocation zone, you are not allowed to increase the nitrogen loss from the property more than 5kg N/ha above your nitrogen baseline calculated with Overseer. (This is an absolute total increase of 5kg N/ha loss from your nitrogen baseline loss NOT a compounding increase of 5kg N/ha/year each year above your nitrogen baseline). Any increase above this will require a farming activity resource consent.
You are required to have a nitrogen baseline calculated for the property.
If your nitrogen loss exceeds 20kg N/ha/year and your farm is larger than 50 hectares, From 1 January 2016 you are required to have a farming activity resource consent, nitrogen loss calculation and a farm environment plan.
Notes
- If your property is part of an irrigation scheme with a discharge consent for nutrient losses, you may not require an individual farming activity resource consent. Check with your irrigation scheme.
- If you are within the Kaikoura catchment you need to refer to the Land and Water Regional Plan rules.
This table is a guide to the rules based on your farm size and nitrogen loss:
Orange Zone
Any increase greater than 5kg N/ha above nitrogen baseline is a discretionary activity.
| Less than or equal to 10kg N/ha/year | Up to (and including) 20kg N/ha/year | Greater than 20kg N/ha/year | |
| Less than 5 ha | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity |
| 5 to 50 Ha | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity provided N loss records available |
Until 1.1.2016: Permitted Activity provided: ◦ N loss records available ◦ Maximum N loss no greater than 5kg N/ha above N baseline |
|
From 1.1.2016: Permitted Activity provided: ◦ N loss records available ◦ N loss no greater than N baseline OR if N loss is greater than N baseline by up to 5kg N/ha they become a restricted discretionary activity. Will require: ◦ a farming activity resource consent ◦ a farm environment plan ◦ a maximum N loss |
|||
| 50 Ha or greater | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity provided N loss records available |
Until 1.1.2016: Permitted Activity provided: ◦ N loss records available ◦ a maximum N loss no greater than 5kg N/ha above N baseline |
|
From 1.1.2016: Restricted discretionary activity. Will require: ◦ a farming activity resource consent ◦ a farm environment plan ◦ a maximum N loss no greater than 5 Kg N/ha above N baseline |
For more information visit the Ecan Land & Water Regional Plan page.
Consents info pack
The documents below contain editable consent forms, planning assessments and examples to help guide you through the consent process for this zone.
Supporting information
Below are some key documents that will help you through the process.
- Consent checklist - step by step what I need to go away and do
- Submitting your farming land use consent application - Questions to ask during your one hour free with a consent planner
- Contact list - Nutrient Management Advisors for Baseline creation and Resource management consultants for consent help
- Why do I get different Overseer Numbers and why are they important?
- Nutrient Budgets for Canterbury factsheet - is my Overseer file fit for regulatory purpose
- A guide to Permitted Activities in Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (Refer to for section ‘Related Permitted Activities’ in consent form)
Green or Light Blue Nutrient Allocation Zone
If you are farming in a green or light blue nutrient allocation zone you are allowed to increase the nitrogen loss from the property by up to 5 kg N/ha/ above your nitrogen baseline calculated with Overseer. (This is an absolute total increase of 5 kg N/ha/year loss from your nitrogen baseline loss NOT a compounding increase of 5 kg N/ha/year each year above your nitrogen baseline). Any increase above this will require a farming activity resource consent.
You are required to have a nitrogen baseline calculated for the property.
Note: If your property is part of an irrigation scheme with a discharge consent for nutrient losses, you may not require an individual farming activity resource consent. Check with your irrigation scheme.
The table below is a guide to the rules based on your farm size and nitrogen loss.
Green Zone (and Light Blue)
Any increase greater than 5 Kg N/Ha above N baseline is a restricted discretionary activity.
| Greater than or equal to 10 Kg N/Ha/year | Up to (and including) 20 Kg N/ha/year | Greater than 20 Kg N/Ha/year | |
| Less than 5 ha | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity |
| 5 to 50 Ha | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity provided N loss records available |
Permitted Activity provided: ◦ N loss records available ◦ a maximum N loss no greater than 5 Kg N/Ha above N loss baseline |
| 50 Ha or greater | Permitted Activity | Permitted Activity provided N loss records available |
Permitted Activity provided: ◦ N loss records available ◦ a maximum N loss no greater than 5 Kg N/Ha above N loss baseline |
For more information visit the Ecan Land & Water Regional Plan page.
Purple Sensitive Lake Zone
If you are farming in a sensitive lake zone and have a farm larger than 5 hectares you require:
- a farming activity consent to farm
- a nitrogen baseline for the property
- a nitrogen loss calculation
- a farm environment plan
These are required for all farmers in these zones now.
NOTE: If you are within the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment you need to refer to the Selwyn Te Waihora Plan Change (PC1) rules.
For more information visit the Ecan Land & Water Regional Plan page.
Read more on the Canterbury Water Ashburton Zone page.
The Ashburton River catchment and the Ashburton-Rakaia plains are still subject to the Land and Water Regional Plan nutrient management rules.
Irrigation schemes in this area – for your regulatory requirements.
The Ashburton River catchment and the Ashburton-Rakaia plains are still subject to the Land and Water Regional Plan nutrient management rules
Hinds Plains - Plan Change 2
In September 2014, Environment Canterbury notified Hinds Plains (Plan Change 2) which proposes that dairy farmers make significant reductions in nitrogen losses in the Hinds catchment.
Together with other primary sector organisations including Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Synlait Milk and the Hinds Plains Land and Water Partnership we developed a common position and presented supporting evidence at hearings in 2015.
In Februrary 2016 Environment Canterbury released the decisions on Plan Change 2, this has been appealed to high court to be resolved.
Irrigation Scheme links
Timeline for rules and processes
Consents information pack
- Farmers Guide to Permitted Activities in Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
- CON 506: Application for a resource consent under the Resource Management Act 1991.
- Planning assessment sheet: Farming activity in the Hinds/Hekeao Plains area.
- Editable planning assessment sheet
- Example planning assessment sheet
Supporting information
Below are some key documents that will help you through the process.
- Consent checklist - step by step what I need to go away and do
- Submitting your farming land use consent application - Questions to ask during your one hour free with a consent planner
- Contact list - Nutrient Management Advisors for Baseline creation and Resource management consultants for consent help
- Why do I get different Overseer Numbers and why are they important?
- Nutrient Budgets for Canterbury factsheet - is my Overseer file fit for regulatory purpose
- A guide to Permitted Activities in Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (Refer to for section ‘Related Permitted Activities’ in consent form)